Barcelona were made to pay for their incredibly high line against Real Madrid as Kylian Mbappe outshone Lamine Yamal in El Clasico.<\/p>\n
Real Madrid<\/a> ended Barcelona\u2019s run of four consecutive El Clasico wins from last season by triumphing 2-1 at the Bernabeu, in what co-commentator and former Los Blancos star Steve McManaman described as a \u2018crazy\u2019 clash.<\/p>\n El Clasico is always feisty, and Yamal\u2019s pre-match comments \u2013 where he claimed Madrid \u2018cheat and steal\u2019 \u2013 only added to the tense atmosphere.<\/p>\n El Clasico at a glance<\/p>\n Madrid went on the attack in the opening 20 minutes, having both a penalty and a stunning Mbappe goal ruled out.<\/p>\n McManaman said Barcelona<\/a> would be in \u2018mad trouble\u2019 if centre-backs Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia continued playing so high up the pitch against the lightning-fast Mbappe, and that is exactly what happened.<\/p>\n Mbappe gave Madrid the lead in the 22nd minute when he raced in behind Cubarsi and Garcia and onto a Bellingham through ball. He took two touches before firing past Wojciech Szczesny and into the bottom corner.<\/p>\n But Lopez dragged Barca level in the 38th minute after being set up for a simple finish by Rashford. McManaman said Barca were given a \u2018gift\u2019 by Arda Guler, who took too long on the ball and ultimately lost possession.<\/p>\n Barca were only level for five minutes though as Bellingham restored Madrid\u2019s lead just before half time following good work by Vinicius Junior and Eder Militao.<\/p>\n Madrid were given a ridiculous penalty early in the second half, but there was a sense of divine justice as Mbappe\u2019s spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Szczesny.<\/p>\n Vinicius stormed off down the tunnel 20 minutes later, reacting furiously to being replaced by Rodrygo. Jules Kounde missed a glorious chance to equalise for Barca late on, while Pedri picked up a second yellow card deep into stoppage time.<\/p>\n READ MORE\u00a0<\/strong>\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Barcelona join red-hot Bundesliga striker chase \u2013 but there\u2019s a better option<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Real Madrid vs Barcelona delivers the drama<\/p>\n Commentator Ian Darke described it as \u2018mayhem\u2019 when there were brawls both on the touchline and on the pitch at full time.<\/p>\n While Hansi Flick was in the stands serving a one-match suspension, he must take a large portion of the blame for Barca\u2019s defeat. He instructed his team to set up with a high line, which was always going to be risky against Mbappe.<\/p>\n Flick also failed to communicate to his staff to get Barca\u2019s defence to drop deeper, which may have prevented Mbappe\u2019s goal.<\/p>\n Yamal<\/a> thrived against Madrid last season, but he could not get the better of Mbappe this time around. Yamal grew into the game in the second half but Madrid left-back Alvaro Carreras largely did a good job of keeping him quiet.<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso will be delighted to stop Barca from making it five consecutive wins in El Clasico, something they have not done since Lionel Messi\u2019s prime.<\/p>\n Although, Alonso has work to do to keep Vinicius happy after his tantrum.<\/p>\n For Barca, they are now five points behind their fierce rivals in LaLiga\u2019s title race. Flick will have to rethink his defensive strategy when Madrid visit Catalonia in May.<\/p>\n Barca get striker boost; Konate to Madrid latest<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Barca have reportedly been given a lift in their bid to sign a world-class replacement for Robert Lewandowski<\/a>.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate is on Madrid\u2019s shortlist as they seek additions in defence.<\/p>\n\n